Air compressor plumbing options?

[hutch4472]

Hey guys, great site....and my wife hates all of you (jk). So I am close to putting together my 30X50 metal shop and need some advice on compressor plumbing ( I am a couple months away from this task but cant stop thinking of how I am going to do it). I have four 60' rolls of type "L" copper tubing. Three are 3/4'' and one is 1/2''. Now I know you are not supposed to solder this type of "soft" copper tubing (or so I've read) so what options do I have? Flare fittings? Or can I not use it at all? I read ALL the compressor plumbing post I could find but I couldnt find an answer to this problem. Thanks a bunch in advance, Hutch

 

[PAToyota]

I've never heard of using "soft" copper rolls for compressed gas piping. I'd check the copper handbook to see whether it is rated for that use and what the recommendations are.

 

[hutch4472]

Hmmmm.....Ok I will try to find more info on it someplace.....it is type "L" and seems plenty thick walled but your right, I'm not sure if the softer "roller" tubing will work............****!!!

 

[1320stang]

I'm pretty sure you can't use soft. Can you take it back to the store and trade for hard?

 

[hutch4472]

No, it was an Ebay purchase, I will try to sell it and get black pipe or maybe sell my wifes diamond jewelry for some hard copper tubing!!!!!

 

[ron in sc]

That soft copper is used on my compressor unit with compression fittings. It goes from the head of the pump to the tank. Why would it not work for the whole system?

 

[bmwpower]

That soft copper is used on my compressor unit with compression fittings. It goes from the head of the pump to the tank. Why would it not work for the whose system?

Some things I can think of:

- the copper is soft so it is vulnerable to damage, longer runs = more chance for damage
- flow will be less that rigid copper since the tube diameter is never exactly round

 

[Aeroman]

Is there copper piping sold at Lowes or Home Depot that would be suitable for plumbing airlines in the garage????

 

[ng8264723]

There nothing wrong with soft copper and why couldn't you solder it?

 

[hutch4472]

Well looking into it more, it seems you can use the copper rolls but you are supposed to use flare fittings. I assume you are not supposed to use solder do to the imperfect roundness of the tubing???

 

[ron in sc]

Is there copper piping sold at Lowes or Home Depot that would be suitable for plumbing airlines in the garage????

Yes, I got my 3/4" copper at Home Depot, I used L copper.